Life Sciences Commons^™

One Step Closer To A Better Starling Trap, James R. Thiele

Human–Wildlife Interactions

European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) are an invasive species in the United States that damage agriculture, personal property, and threaten human health and safety. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services provides technical support to mitigate damage by controlling starling populations at concentrated animal feeding operations, landfills, utilities, and urban areas. Wildlife Services uses DRC-1339, a registered toxicant, to reduce starling populations. Trapping can also be an effective tool but requires more time at a higher cost than DRC-1339. Trapping starlings, however, may be needed to provide a viable alternative to mitigate damage in areas where toxicant use may …

Black Vulture Conflict And Management In The United States: Damage Trends, Management Overview, And Research Needs, Bryan M. Kluever, Morgan B. Pfeiffer, Scott C. Barras, Brett G. Dunlap, Lee A. Humberg

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Contrary to rapid declines of many vulture (Accipitridae, Cathartidea) species worldwide, black vulture (Coragyps atratus) populations are increasing and expanding their range in North America. Vultures exhibit complex behaviors and can adapt to any human-dominated landscape or land use. These traits, combined with population growth and range expansion, have contributed to increased human–vulture conflicts. Our goal was to summarize the current status and trends in human–black vulture conflicts (hereafter human–vulture conflicts), review available management strategies, identify knowledge gaps, and provide recommendations to enhance management and understanding of this species and the associated conflicts. We found human–vulture conflicts are …

Adaptive Courseware Implementation: Investigating Alignment, Course Redesign, And The Student Experience, Patricia O'Sullivan, Janelle Voegele, Tonya Buchan, Raiza Dottin, Kari Goin Kono, Misty Hamideh, Wendy S. Howard, Jennifer Todd, Lee Tyson, Stanley Kruse, Johannes De Gruyter, Kevin Berg

Current Issues in Emerging eLearning

In this paper, four institutions share student and faculty feedback on the implementation of adaptive courseware through a common case study: biology for undergraduate non-majors. Additionally, each institution has provided a second case study of their choice. Together, researchers at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO, Portland State University in Portland, OR, University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL, and the University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS consider student perception of the benefits to the implementation of adaptive courseware, and how the deliberate alignment between adaptive courseware and course organization and structure impacts student experience. This paper highlights the …

Diagnosis And Distribution Of Florida Sand Darter, Ammocrypta Bifascia (Teleostei; Percidae), In The Flint River, Georgia, Camm C. Swift, Gregory R. Moyer, Christine E. Fallon, Brett Albanese

Southeastern Fishes Council Proceedings

Abstract: In 2013, we observed the presence of an undocumented Ammocrypta species in the lower Flint River, Georgia. The occurrence represents the first record of the genus in Georgia. Subsequent surveys at 24 sites, using seining or snorkeling, documented additional specimens from mainstem sites (n = 3) between Albany and Bainbridge and from Ichawaynochaway Creek (n = 5 sites), a large tributary to the Flint River. We used morphological and genetic data to identify specimens to species. Morphological examination included 23 morphometric and 8 meristic characters from fifteen specimens that were compared to specimens from Williams (1975). For genetic analyses, …

The Mayfly Newsletter, Donna Giberson, Peter M. Grant

The Mayfly Newsletter

The Mayfly Newsletter is the official newsletter of the Permanent Committee of the International Conferences on Ephemeroptera.

Innate Pathogenic Traits In Oral Yeasts, Ayat Ibrahiem Esmaeel Al-Laaeiby, Adnan A. Al-Mousawi, Inaam M.N. Alrubayae, Abdullah Al-Saadoon, Maysoon Almayahi

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

The normal flora community plays a significant role in both healthy and patient individual’s bodies. It has improved its ability to change from beneficial to opportunistic organisms causing crucial infections in immunocompromised patients. This study was conducted to identify the community of yeast species, and to investigate potential virulence factors. Saliva samples were collected from healthy individuals, yeast species were isolated and identified using both traditional and advance molecular genetics technique. The results revealed that Candida albicans was the dominant isolate, while Meyerozyma caribbica was the least. The phylogenetic tree was constructed for 13 species using the Neighbour-Joining method, which …

In Vitro Cytotoxic Effect Of Aspergillus Clavatus Generated Silver Nanoparticles On Raw 264.7 Cells, Shahnaz Majeed, Mohammed Danish Dr., M. N Mohamad Ibrahim Prof., Siti Hajar Binti Sekeri, Shah Aarif Ul Islam Dr., Mohammed Tahir Ansari

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Aspergillus clavatus (A. clavatus ) was utilized for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) isolated from the soil. . About one (1) mM silver nitrate (AgNO₃) was gradually added to the aqueous extract of A. clavatus, the colour of the extract becomes dark brown indicates the AgNPs formation. The UV -Vis spectrophotometry showed the lambda max (-λ_max) at 430 nm. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results revealed the peaks at 3221.40 cm N-H symmetric amide, 1645.78 NH bend amine, 1557.02 N-H bend amide groups are associated with AgNPs. The powder form of AgNPs was recorded …

Editorial Board

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

No abstract provided.

Estimation Of Transmission Dynamics Of Covid-19 In India: The Influential Saturated Incidence Rate, - Tanvi, Rajiv Aggarwal, Ashutosh Rajput

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

A non-linear SEIR mathematical model for coronavirus disease in India has been proposed, by incorporating the saturated incidence rate on the occurrence of new infections. In the model, the threshold quantity known as the reproduction number is evaluated which determines the stability of disease-free equilibrium and the endemic equilibrium points. The disease-free equilibrium point becomes globally asymptotically stable when the corresponding reproduction number is less than unity, whereas, if it is greater than unity then the endemic equilibrium point comes into existence, which is locally asymptotically stable under certain restrictions on the parameters value in the model. The impact of …

Stability Of Modified Host-Parasitoid Model With Allee Effect, Özlem A. Gümüs, A. G. Maria Selvam, R. Janagaraj

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

This paper deals with a host-parasitoid model subject to Allee effect and its dynamical behavior. Steady state points of the proposed host-parasitoid model are computed. Stability properties are analyzed with eigen values of Jacobian matrix which are determined at the steady states. Theoretical findings are supported by numerical illustrations and enhanced by pictorial representations such as bifurcation diagrams, phase portraits and local amplifications for different parameter values. Existence of chaotic behavior in the system is established via bifurcation and sensitivity analysis of the system at the initial conditions. Various phase portraits are simulated for a better understanding of the qualitative …

Statistics Of Branched Populations Split Into Different Types, Thierry E. Huillet

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

Some population is made of n individuals that can be of P possible species (or types) at equilibrium. How are individuals scattered among types? We study two random scenarios of such species abundance distributions. In the first one, each species grows from independent founders according to a Galton-Watson branching process. When the number of founders P is either fixed or random (either Poisson or geometrically-distributed), a question raised is: given a population of n individuals as a whole, how does it split into the species types? This model is one pertaining to forests of Galton-Watson trees. A second scenario that …

Dynamical Behavior Of An Eco-Epidemiological Model Incorporating Prey Refuge And Prey Harvesting, Dawit Melese, Ousman Muhye, Subrata K. Sahu

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

In this paper an eco-epidemiological model incorporating a prey refuge and prey harvesting with disease in the prey-population is considered. Predators are assumed to consume both the susceptible and infected prey at different rates. The positivity and boundedness of the solution of the system are discussed. The existence and stability of the biologically feasible equilibrium points are investigated. Numerical simulations are performed to support our analytical findings.

Stygobitic Crustaceans In An Anchialine Cave With An Archeological Heritage At Vodeni Rat (Island Of Sveti Klement, Hvar, Croatia), Alessandro Montanari, Nicolas Cerveau, Barbara Fiasca, Jean-François Flot, Diana Galassi, Maurizio Mainiero, David Mcgee, Tadeusz Namiotko, Stefano Recanatini, Fabio Stoch

International Journal of Speleology

A group of four amphoras found in the anchialine cave of Vodeni Rat in the Croatian island of Sveti Klement, on a rocky ledge at 24 m water depth, indicates that a freshwater source was exploited at the bottom of this karstic pit by islanders and/or passing-by sailors from the late Roman Republican Period to the Early Medieval Period. In other words, prior to the 4^th–7^th century CE, Vodeni Rat was not an anchialine cave but a Pleistocene karstic pit with a freshwater pool at the bottom. Seawater started to infiltrate this cavity via newly opened fissures …

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Scientia

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Anti-Diabetic Properties Of Sodium Bicarbonate In A Mouse Model Of Type 1 Diabetes, Jenna Nelson, Logan Olson, Amira Zaher, Jace Engelmann, Marina Cetkovic-Cvrlje

SCSU Journal of Student Scholarship

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease in which T cells destroy insulinproducing β cells in the pancreas, leading to hyperglycemia. Some T cells directly kill β cells, such as Tcytotoxic, or indirectly such as T-helper, while others, like regulatory T cells, actually protect them. A recent study showed that sodium bicarbonate (SB) exhibited anti-inflammatory activity by affecting immune cells other than T cells, implying its potential for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Since SB has never been tested in an experimental mouse model for autoimmunity, we studied the effects of SB treatment on the development and …

The Tissues Of Adult Female Reproductive System Of The Pipistrellus Kuhlii Bat: Comparative Study With Other Mammals, Muna Rashid

Journal of the Arab American University مجلة الجامعة العربية الامريكية للبحوث

This study is attempt for investigating the tissues, which comprise the female reproductive system of the bat. Then, compare it with the same system of other mammals. The bat has been anatomized and the organs of female reproductive system was taken away. They include: ovary, ovarian duct and uterus, where they have been studied histological.

The results of the microscopic investigation of the tissue of the female bat, showed that the ovary has two parts; an outer cortex and an inner medulla. The cortex consists of follicles, different growth stages and the proper tissues have net of connective tissue fibers. …

Antibacterial Activity Of Selected Plant Extracts On Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, Lubna Abdallah

Journal of the Arab American University مجلة الجامعة العربية الامريكية للبحوث

Based on the importance of herbal plants in medicine, this study was conducted to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of aqueous, ethanol and methanol extracts of Thymbra spicata, Nepeta curviflora, and Verbascum fruticulosum against two clinical isolates (I and II) of the gram positive methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Agar well diffusion method was performed to examine the antibacterial activity of all studied plant extracts. Micro-broth dilution method was used to measure the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) then the minimum bacteriocidal concentration (MBC) for all active extracts. The examined isolates were susceptible to the prepared plant extracts. Ethanol and methanol extracts …

Identification Of Planktothrix (Cyanobacteria) Blooms And Effects On The Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Community In The Non-Tidal Potomac River, Usa, Joshua Henesy, Jennifer L. Wolny, John E. Mullican, Detbra S. Rosales, Joseph S. Pitula, Joseph W. Love

Virginia Journal of Science

Using transverse cross-sectional transects, a survey of 31 km of the non-tidal Potomac River was conducted from White’s Ferry, Virginia to Brunswick, Maryland, USA, between June and September in 2013 through 2015 to assess a recurring benthic cyanobacteria bloom. Abundant benthic cyanobacteria blooms were detected during the 2014 and 2015 sampling seasons and the primary taxon was identified morphologically and molecularly as Planktothrix cf. isothrix. When present, P. cf. isothrix blooms were concentrated from river center to the Maryland shoreline. This pattern was correlated with significantly greater benthic chlorophyll-a and phycocyanin concentrations. In an apparent response to …

Analyzing Flavonoids In Chocolate-Based Beverages, Ernest Afoakwah

Kean Quest

Some amount of previous research has suggested that chocolate-based drinks are very effective post-exercise recovery beverages. The fluid, electrolyte, protein and carbohydrate content of chocolate milk has been credited with possibly providing this benefit. Antioxidants perhaps contribute to post exercise recovery. Flavonoids, also naturally occurring phytochemicals in cocoa, the chief ingredient in chocolate, may be capable of providing antioxidant benefits. Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and colorimetry, the present research involved examining the presence of flavonoids (particularly catechin) in seven chocolate-based milk drinks, as they may serve some importance regarding post-exercise recovery. A similar protocol (which basically involved defatting samples, …

Effect Of Three Classroom Research Experiences On Science Attitudes, Lauren K. Lucas, Frances K. Hunter, Zachariah Gompert

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Here we evaluate undergraduate student attitudes about science after each of three authentic research experiences in a semester of an introductory biology laboratory course at Utah State University. The three course-based research experiences (CUREs) vary in length and student freedom, and they cover different areas of biology. Students responded to the science attitude items of the CURE Survey. When compared to national data, our students faired similarly, and all students struggled with certain epistemic assumptions about science knowledge. As also seen in the national database, change in science attitude was slight and nonlinear. Student self confidence in what a career …

Antibacterial Activities For Root Extracts Of (Goldenrods) Solidago Canadensis L Treated By Nano And Bio Fertilizer, Layth Sareea Al-Rekaby, Khalid Mohsein Atiyah

Al-Qadisiyah Journal of Pure Science

This experiment was done to find out to assess the effect of three concentration of Nano fertilizer 0, 1 and 2 gm./L , and the bio fertilizer at two levels 0 and 20 gm./L and their interactions on production of active ingredient of Solidago canadensis L. (goldenrods) , that planted in plastic pots. the active compounds in roots were measured After finishing experiment by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) ( Manufacturer: Agilent 5977 A MSD , USA) The show results that the experimental treatment effect a significant increase in all measured parameters. Chemical description of extract has been carried out using …

A Fuzzy Assessment Model For Hospitals Services Quality Based On Patient Experience, Mohamed Khodyer Alkafaji, Eman Salih Al-Shamery

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

The patient's experience is a lens for services assessment that provide from healthcare institutions because the patient is the first and the last recipient for the service. The patient's experience carries a lot of uncertainty and an ultimate decision cannot be taken from the patient about the services, but it carries the partial truth. Many artificial intelligence technologies deal with the concept of partial truth, such as genetic algorithms and neural networks, but the fuzzy logic remains pioneering to deal with uncertainty. This paper aims to develop an assessment model by using fuzzy inference that is able to assess the …

A Systematic Mapping Study On The Risk Factors Leading To Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus, Karar N. J Musafer, Fahrul Zaman Huyop, Mufeed J Ewadh, Eko Supriyanto, Mohammad Rava

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Diabetes is one of the most common diseases that has had devastating effects on the general population. It is also among the most popular research trends in modern medicine. Thus, due to the complexity and desirability of this particular affliction, there is a lot of demand towards understanding this disease better, so that it can pave the way towards better solutions in combating diabetes. The aim of this review is to provide a categorization of the risk factors leading to Type II Diabetes. In order to provide a justification for the type of diabetes, an explanation is provided which covers …

Chemical Composition And Antibacterial Activity Of The Essential Oil Of Myrtus Communis Leaves, Hajar El Hartiti, Amine El Mostaphi, Mariam Barrahi, Aouatif Ben Ali, Nabila Chahboun, Rajaa Amiyare, Abdelkader Zarrouk, Brahim Bourkhiss, Mohammed Ouhssine

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

The aim of this work is to determine the yield of the essential oil of the Myrtus communis leaves, to identify its chemical composition and to evaluate its antibacterial properties. The plant is harvested from Sidi Ahmed Chrif, a region in Ouazzane, Morocco. The extraction of the essential oil was carried out by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger apparatus type. The average yield was 0.7%. The analysis of this oil by Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrum (GC/MS) allows the identification of 32 compounds. Eucalyptol was the main compound with 42.43%, followed by myrtenyl acetate (21.25%) and α-pinene (19.39%). Myrtle essential …

Hormones Of Maize Crop As Affected By Potassium Fertilization , Water Quality And Ascobin Foliar Application ., Qais Hussain Al-Samak Prof., Fatima Karim Khudair Alasadi

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

A pot assay on the plastic container of the wire sunshade in the University of Kerbala's Agricultural Division was conducted to research the impact of potassium treatment, the salinity of irrigation water and ascobin sprinkling, just as their connections, on the some plant hormones activities (auxin, gibberellin and abscisic acid) in developing Zea mays crops in a soil with sandy texture during the farming fall period of 2017–2018. The trial was planned as a factorial one with three factors, Potassium adding are 0, 100 and 200 Kg K.ha^–1 . the irrigation water salinity are 1, 3 and 6 ds.m …

Editorial Board

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

No abstract provided.

Ecological Factors Influencing Wild Pig Damage To Planted Pine And Hardwood Seedlings, Micah P. Fern, James B. Armstrong, Rebecca J. Barlow, John S. Kush

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Expanding wild pig (Sus scrofa) populations across the southern United States has the potential to impact longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) restoration efforts. The depredation of planted pine seedlings is the most widespread and economically costly damage caused by wild pigs in forest plantations. A better understanding of the ecological factors affecting depredation rates will allow managers to implement best management practices to reduce seedling mortality from wild pigs at their most vulnerable stage of growth. From March 2016 to March 2017, we evaluated wild pig preferences for planted pine and hardwood species at a 34.4-ha cutover …

Assessing Vulture Translocation As A Management Tool To Mitigate Airport Bird Strikes, Weber Galvão Novaes, Tarcísio Lyra Dos Santos Abreu, Rafael Soave Guerta

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Collisions between wildlife and aircraft are a major safety concern for international aviation. In the Americas, vultures (Cathartidae) are considered to be one of the most hazardous bird species to airport operations. In this study, we evaluated the use of translocations as a management technique to reduce vulture abundance near the Manaus International Airport (MAO), Manaus, Brazil. The MAO is one of the busiest and most strategically important airports in South America, often referred to as the gateway to the Brazilian Amazon. We captured, wing-tagged, and translocated 98 vultures between August and October 2013 and between January and April 2014. …

Groundwater Quality In Two Semi-Arid Areas Of Algeria: Impact Of Water Pollution On Biodiversity, Redjaimia Lylia, Hadjab Ramzi, Khammar Hichem, Merzoug Djemoi, Saheb Menouar

Journal of Bioresource Management

The biodiversity and quality of subterranean waters were comparatively studied in the Tarf plain near Oum-El-Bouaghi and in the Ksar S’bahi in Oum-El-Bouaghi, in North-eastern Algeria. For this purpose, physicochemical and faunistic analyses were carried out on the water of ten stations located in the area of Tarf, and thirteen in the area of S’bahi. In the wells of Tarf, the average stygobiologic diversity was relatively high in the wells located upstream the dumping site from the city where the groundwater presented low contents of nitrates and orthophosphates. In contrast, the wells located in the spreading zone of Tarf wastewaters …

Did You Wash Your Caving Suit? Cavers’ Role In The Potential Spread Of Pseudogymnoascus Destructans, The Causative Agent Of White-Nose Disease, Violeta Zhelyazkova, Antonia Hubancheva, Georgi Radoslavov, Nia Toshkova, Sebastien J. Puechmaille

International Journal of Speleology

White-Nose Disease (WND) has killed millions of hibernating bats in the US and Canada. Its causative agent, the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans was introduced to North America, but is native to Europe and Asia, where it is not associated with mass mortality. Although it is nearly impossible to eradicate an emerging wildlife disease, research on P. destructans spread mechanisms can aid in prevention of new introductions and development of better environmental management strategies. It is of particular importance to quantify the potential role of people visiting caves (cavers, tourists, bat researchers, etc.) whom inadvertently move P. destructans spores between sites, and …